The Carolina Panthers are expected to release franchise quarterback Cam Newton after granting him permission to seek a trade on Tuesday.
Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reported the Panthers are “having a hard time trying to trade the former MVP.” while also saying sources expect him to be released soon.
League sources said the Panthers and Cam Newton's camp are having a hard time trying to trade the former MVP.
Multiple sources expect he's going to be released very soon. Team won't carry both Newton and Bridgewater; latter trying to get physical taken care of. After that…— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) March 19, 2020
The Panthers signed a three-year, $63 million deal with former New Orleans Saints backup Teddy Bridgewater shortly after allowing Newton to seek a trade.
Of course, the financials weigh heavily in this decision as well. By trading or cutting Newton, the Panthers will save $19.1 million on the cap and owe just over $2 million in dead cap. This was always going to be their move if they could not find a taker in Newton's market.
Still, releasing Newton would only do more to further sour the relationship between the franchise and the once-beloved quarterback.
In fact, Newton stated he never wanted to leave the team, but Carolina “forced” him to seek a trade (per Rodrigue):
But saying they “gave him permission” made it seem like Newton asked for it. And Newton refuted the team’s version of things, commenting on the Panthers’ Instagram post that “he had never asked for this” (as their press release implied), saying that they “forced” him into this situation while begging them to not manipulate the narrative.
Newton is on an expiring contract in 2020, but few teams are willing to take on his salary after he played just two games during the 2019 campaign after having shoulder problems towards the end of the 2018 season.
In any case, things are only getting messier between Cam and the Panthers.
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